If you’re going to spend an hour listening to people talk about film, then you should make sure that the people talking know the craft. There’s nothing better than listening to two (or three) fantastic artists discuss their love of art and what inspires them. So during this holiday season, you could do a lot worse than spend an hour listening to Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie talk to Paul Thomas Anderson in the new episode of the A24 podcast.
It’s not like the three filmmakers don’t have anything in common. After all, the Safdie brothers and Paul Thomas Anderson gave Adam Sandler great dramatic roles that were critically acclaimed, in both “Uncut Gems” and “Punch-Drunk Love.” Like many people, the Safdie brothers are also big fans of Anderson, and you can hear the excitement in their voice when Paul Thomas Anderson starts praising “Uncut Gems” and even asks for a 35mm print of the film.
If you’re not familiar with “Uncut Gems,” the latest films by the Safdie brothers follows Sandler as a jewelry store owner in New York’s diamond district who is also a compulsive, self-destructive gambler, always looking for the next big score. As you’d expect from the filmmakers behind “Good Time,” this movie is a nerve-wracking drama that’s also part comedy, and complete stress-inducing adrenaline shot to the heart. The film debuted as part of this year’s Telluride Film Festival and has done out to be nominated for plenty of awards this season, including best male lead, screenplay, and director at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
The Safdie brothers and Paul Thomas Anderson also discuss their love and admiration for cinematographer Darius Khondji, who shot “Uncut Gems” with the Safdies, and also Paul Thomas Anderson’s short film “ANIMA,” shooting in real locations, and shipping precious gems inside fishes. Sadly, they didn’t devote the entire episode to that colonoscopy scene.
Even if you haven’t seen the film yet, the discussion between the filmmakers is worth the listen on its own.